HELP! My baby chicks are hot

[Zoom Zoom]

I have seven 5 day old chicks that seem to be too hot - they are panting. I'm keeping them in a box in the coop. The temp under the heat lamp is 95; it is 97 outside with 66% humidity. I put a cover over part of the box for shelter and they are staying under it coming out only when I go into the coop. They have plenty of fresh water and, other than panting, they seem to be fine. I am wondering if this is normal and, if not, what I should do. Would it be OK to open one of the windows slightly? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[CityFarmer202]

Welcome to BYC!!
With the outside temp at 97 degree, i would turn off the heat lamp for awhile. Keep an eye on them, and if they start shivering turn it back on, but in the middle of summer during the day, i would turn the heat lamp off and just keep an eye on them and turn it on if they started to shiver. Good Luck!

 

[Zoom Zoom]

Thank you. I'll turn it off right now.

 

[Ninamm]

Thanks for posting this. I just text my son to turn their lite off too. it's hot and humid out..yuck!

 

[Wantaraisechick]

If your brooder is large enough you could put the light in one corner so the chicks could come to it and warm when needed and move to a cooler place when they wish.

 

[Zoom Zoom]

I had the brooder set up so that the light was on one end and I had placed a cardboard shelter over the other end but that didn't help. I turned the light off and, once it cooled down a bit, the chicks were comfortable. I turned the light back on not long ago and will check on them shortly.
We have a cool spell moving in tonight so hopefully they won't have a problem tomorrow.

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

I would turn the light on at night and turn it off in the morning. I use the small bottles from my grand kids hugs fruit drinks, filled with water and frozen, they are perfect in my waterer and keep their water really cool.

 

[Fancychooklady]

If your brooder is large enough you could put the light in one corner so the chicks could come to it and warm when needed and move to a cooler place when they wish.

X2 the brooder needs to be big enough for them to be able to escape the heat.

 

[centrarchid]

X2 the brooder needs to be big enough for them to be able to escape the heat.

Also consider placing a box stuffed half full with hay or straw in its side. Get chicks to sleep in it at night, then they will not need heat lamp.

OP, I am just north of you and by this time of year chicks sleeping in a tight little pile in dry out of wind can keep warm just fine. The box if used can come in handy later in getting chicks to roost where you want them and also provide an added layer of protection against raccoons and opossums.

 

[annimon]

I put a cool block from the freezer in the coop covered with a cloth. works instantly. Bigger the coop, more blocks. A bag of ice would work the same but wouldn't last so long,